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The world’s best universities
22 universities around the world, scored on 14 conditions: the 2026 QS world ranking, Times Higher Education 2026, employability, research, costs and how hard it is to get in.
Questions the analysis answers
- Which are the best universities in the world?
- Which of them are more accessible in admission and costs?
- How do American universities compare with European and Asian ones?
The ranking
22 positions scored on 14 conditions adapted to this topic. The scores are judgement based on the cited sources, with a rationale for each position. Conditions that cannot be assessed yet get 5 (neutral) in the score and do not count as met. The scores are frozen in the snapshot of 3 November 2026 (fingerprint in the .sha256 file).
Extended to 22 entries on 5 November 2026: the first 11 keep the same scores, and 11 new entries were added, with sources. The previous snapshot stays published: social-facultati-lume-2026-11-03.json.
| # | Name | Conditions | Score | Substance / form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ETH Zurich | 11/14 | 8.28 | Substance without form |
| 2 | EPFL, Lausanne | 11/14 | 8.06 | Substance without form |
| 3 | National University of Singapore (NUS) | 11/14 | 7.90 | Substance confirmed |
| 4 | Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) | 11/14 | 7.88 | Substance without form |
| 5 | Tsinghua University | 10/14 | 7.62 | Substance confirmed |
| 6 | Imperial College London | 10/14 | 7.54 | Substance confirmed |
| 7 | The University of Hong Kong (HKU) | 10/14 | 7.52 | Substance without form |
| 8 | University College London (UCL) | 10/14 | 7.44 | Substance confirmed |
| 9 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 10/14 | 7.30 | Substance confirmed |
| 10 | Peking University | 10/14 | 7.26 | Substance confirmed |
| 11 | University of Chicago | 10/14 | 7.22 | Substance confirmed |
| 12 | University of Cambridge | 9/14 | 7.38 | Substance confirmed |
| 13 | University of Oxford | 9/14 | 7.36 | Substance confirmed |
| 14 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 9/14 | 7.30 | Substance confirmed |
| 15 | University of Melbourne | 9/14 | 7.30 | Substance without form |
| 16 | University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | 9/14 | 7.30 | Substance without form |
| 17 | Stanford University | 9/14 | 7.24 | Substance confirmed |
| 18 | University of California, Berkeley | 9/14 | 7.16 | Substance confirmed |
| 19 | University of Pennsylvania | 9/14 | 6.90 | Substance confirmed |
| 20 | Cornell University | 8/14 | 7.06 | Substance confirmed |
| 21 | Yale University | 8/14 | 6.90 | Substance confirmed |
| 22 | Harvard University | 8/14 | 6.76 | Substance confirmed |
Each position, condition by condition
ETH Zurich · 11/14 · score 8.28 · Substance without form
Seventh in QS 2026, the best university in continental Europe. Tuition is low for its level, and admission is more accessible than at US and British universities; but Zurich is very expensive.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 6 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 6 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 9 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
EPFL, Lausanne · 11/14 · score 8.06 · Substance without form
Twenty-second in QS 2026, tied with TUM. Top engineering and computer science, low fees, very international; living costs in Switzerland are high.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 6 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 6 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 9 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
National University of Singapore (NUS) · 11/14 · score 7.90 · Substance confirmed
Eighth in QS 2026, the best-ranked university in Asia. Teaching in English, very well connected with employers in the region; outside the top 10 in Times Higher Education.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 9 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 9 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 4 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 4 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 8 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) · 11/14 · score 7.88 · Substance without form
Twelfth in QS 2026, rising. Singapore’s second university, strong in engineering, computer science and materials; teaching in English and a modern campus, but high living costs.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 8 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 9 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 5 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 8 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 5 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 8 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
Tsinghua University · 10/14 · score 7.62 · Substance confirmed
Seventeenth in QS 2026, rising. China’s strongest technical university, in artificial intelligence and engineering; very hard admission and restrictions on collaboration with some Western countries.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 7 | An affordable city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 6 | Moderate openness. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 8 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); Yicai: Chinese universities in QS 2026
Imperial College London · 10/14 · score 7.54 · Substance confirmed
Second in QS 2026 and 8th in Times Higher Education. Specialised in science, engineering, medicine and business, all in high demand; London is expensive for students.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 2 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 6 | Moderate attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 8 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 7 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) · 10/14 · score 7.52 · Substance without form
Eleventh in QS 2026, after a six-place jump (from 17th). Teaching in English and very many foreign students; the political context is a risk to watch.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 8 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 8 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 8 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 5 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 10 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 5 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
University College London (UCL) · 10/14 · score 7.44 · Substance confirmed
Ninth in QS 2026. Very many programmes and many foreign students, which makes it more accessible than Oxford or Cambridge; London is expensive, and it is outside the top 10 in Times Higher Education.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 8 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 2 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 4 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 6 | Stable. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 3 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 7 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) · 10/14 · score 7.30 · Substance confirmed
Tenth in QS 2026 and 7th in Times Higher Education. Very small, with top research in physics and engineering; admission is among the most selective in the world.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 8 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 7 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 1 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 8 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 1 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
Peking University · 10/14 · score 7.26 · Substance confirmed
Fourteenth in QS 2026, China’s highest-ranked university. Competition for admission among Chinese students is huge; for foreigners, language and the political context are obstacles.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 8 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 7 | An affordable city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 6 | Moderate openness. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); Yicai: Chinese universities in QS 2026
University of Chicago · 10/14 · score 7.22 · Substance confirmed
Thirteenth in QS 2026, one of the biggest jumps at the top of the ranking. Very strong in economics, physics and law; extremely selective admission and very high fees.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 7 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 9 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
University of Cambridge · 9/14 · score 7.38 · Substance confirmed
Fourth in Times Higher Education 2026 and 6th in QS. Top global reputation, with a strong technology ecosystem around it; very selective admission and high costs for foreigners.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 7 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 4 | Over-hyped. |
| C12 | Trend | 6 | Stable. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 8 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
University of Oxford · 9/14 · score 7.36 · Substance confirmed
First in Times Higher Education 2026 and 4th in QS (down from 3rd). Top global reputation, but extremely selective admission and very high costs for students from outside the UK.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 2 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 4 | Over-hyped. |
| C12 | Trend | 6 | Stable. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 8 | Low risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) · 9/14 · score 7.30 · Substance confirmed
First in QS 2026 (again) and 2nd in Times Higher Education. The world leader in engineering and computer science; admission is extremely selective and Boston is an expensive city.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 2 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 9 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 1 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 4 | Over-hyped. |
| C12 | Trend | 8 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 1 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
University of Melbourne · 9/14 · score 7.30 · Substance without form
Nineteenth in QS 2026, falling, like all Australian universities in the top 30. Very open to foreign students, in a city with a high quality of life; but Australia has capped student visa numbers.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 8 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 8 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 6 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 4 | Falling in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 5 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad)
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) · 9/14 · score 7.30 · Substance without form
Twentieth in QS 2026. Strong in engineering, with good links to employers; very many foreign students. Sydney is expensive, and the student visa cap is a risk.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 7 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 8 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 8 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 9 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 10 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 6 | Quite hard. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 4 | Falling in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 5 | Moderate competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 6 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad)
Stanford University · 9/14 · score 7.24 · Substance confirmed
Third in QS 2026 (up from 6th) and 6th in Times Higher Education. At the heart of Silicon Valley, with the world’s best links to start-ups; costs and competition for admission are very high.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 10 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 1 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 10 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 1 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 3 | Over-hyped. |
| C12 | Trend | 9 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 1 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
University of California, Berkeley · 9/14 · score 7.16 · Substance confirmed
Seventeenth in QS 2026, falling. A top public university near Silicon Valley, with first-rate computer science and engineering; living costs around San Francisco are very high, and public funding is under pressure.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 9 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 3 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 3 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 4 | Falling in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 3 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
University of Pennsylvania · 9/14 · score 6.90 · Substance confirmed
Fifteenth in QS 2026, falling. Wharton, its business school, is among the best known in the world, with very high employability; fees and political pressure on US universities are the risks.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 4 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 8 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 4 | Falling in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
Cornell University · 8/14 · score 7.06 · Substance confirmed
Sixteenth in QS 2026. A large Ivy League university, strong in engineering, agriculture and hospitality, with a tech campus in New York; its main town, Ithaca, is small.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 9 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 6 | Average costs. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 6 | Average opportunities. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 3 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 7 | Balanced attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 5 | Stable. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 3 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
Yale University · 8/14 · score 6.90 · Substance confirmed
Twenty-first in QS 2026, rising. One of the most prestigious US universities, strong in law and the humanities; extremely selective admission, and federal pressure on universities is a risk.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 9 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 9 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 9 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 9 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 7 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 5 | Average costs. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 8 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 6 | Average opportunities. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 2 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 6 | Moderate attention. |
| C12 | Trend | 7 | Rising in the rankings. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 2 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 5 | A few risks to watch. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University); QS: the 2026 world ranking results
Harvard University · 8/14 · score 6.76 · Substance confirmed
Fifth in both QS 2026 and Times Higher Education. The best-known university in the world, and so the most publicised; political pressure in the US on funding and on foreign students is a real risk.
| # | Condition | Score | In plain words |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | 10 | Among the top places in the world in QS. |
| C2 | Global reputation | 10 | A strong global reputation. |
| C3 | Employability | 10 | Graduates are in high demand among employers. |
| C4 | Research | 10 | Strong research. |
| C5 | Applicant demand | 10 | Very high demand. |
| C6 | In-demand fields | 8 | Fields in high demand (medicine, engineering, IT). |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | 2 | An expensive city for students. |
| C8 | Internationalisation | 9 | Many foreign students and programmes in foreign languages. |
| C9 | The city | 9 | A city with many well-paid jobs. |
| C10 | Ease of admission | 1 | Very hard to get in. |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | 2 | Over-hyped. |
| C12 | Trend | 5 | Stable. |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | 1 | Very strong competition. |
| C14 | Risks | 4 | High risks. |
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad); QS: the 2026 world ranking results; Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
The data behind the scores
The analysis’s sources
- QS World University Rankings 2026: the world ranking (Hotcourses Abroad)
- QS: the 2026 world ranking results
- Time Out: the world’s best universities for 2026, according to Times Higher Education
- QS World University Rankings 2026: the official list (PDF published by Masaryk University)
- Yicai: Chinese universities in QS 2026
What the analysis shows
ETH Zurich meets the most conditions (11 of 14). The ranking rewards substance: real results and real opportunities, weighed against how hard and how expensive they are to reach, not only fame.
The rankings are indicative and rest on public data as of the snapshot date. The right choice depends on each person’s situation.
How we apply the 14 conditions in this domain
The same algorithm as for crypto, companies and commodities: each condition gets a score from 0 to 10 and is met from 7. The weights are identical in every domain; only what we measure in practice changes.
| # | Condition | What we measure | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | QS recognition | Position in the 2026 QS world ranking. | 16% |
| C2 | Global reputation | Position in Times Higher Education 2026 and academic reputation. | 6% |
| C3 | Employability | Reputation among employers and graduates’ labour-market outcomes. | 6% |
| C4 | Research | Research results and citations. | 8% |
| C5 | Applicant demand | How many applicants per place. | 6% |
| C6 | In-demand fields | Degrees in high demand on the labour market. | 8% |
| C7 | Cost of living in the city | Rent and living costs for a student. | 8% |
| C8 | Internationalisation | Foreign students and staff, programmes in foreign languages. | 4% |
| C9 | The city | Jobs and wages in the university’s city. | 6% |
| C10 | Ease of admission | How easy it is to get in. | 6% |
| C11 | Media (non-linear) | Balanced attention. | 6% |
| C12 | Trend | Rising or falling in the rankings. | 6% |
| C13 | Crowding (inverse) | Competition at admission. | 6% |
| C14 | Risks | Funding, scandals, programme quality. | 8% |
Questions about the reasoning
Do you disagree with a score, or want to know why an asset is where it is? Ask. We answer with the weekly update, with sources, by email and, if you agree, here on the page.
Answered questions
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Sources
The sources will be listed here together with the data.